Panaji: As illegal rentals of private vehicles to tourists surge in Goa, transport officials are ramping up enforcement. To tackle this, each regional transport office (RTO) across the state’s talukas will soon begin covertly identifying and tracking down these violators.
“Any vehicle found operating without the proper rent-a-bike or rent-a-cab registration will be challaned and seized. Vehicle owners caught for this violation will face hefty penalties, including a fine of Rs 10,000,” a transport official said.
This move comes a day after transport minister Mauvin Godinho announced plans to seize private vehicles operating as rent-a-cabs from next month.
“With state halting the issuance of new rent-a-cab licences, private vehicle owners have turned to illicit rentals to cater to tourists. We will not allow this. Tourists come to Goa, hire rental cars, and try to teach Goans how a vehicle is driven,” Godinho had said.
As the tourism season approaches, officials are hopeful that these measures will restore order and enhance safety on Goa's roads.
“The directorate of transport is in the process of securing a designated area to store these seized vehicles,” the official said.
Rent-a-cab permits are issued under the Rent-a-Cab Scheme of 1989, while Rent-a-Bike permits are issued according to the Rent-a-Motorcycle Scheme of 1997, both are governed by the Central Motor Vehicles Rules of 1989. There is no limit on the number of Rent-a-Cab permits issued, while each Rent-a-Bike licence holder is allowed a maximum of 10 permits.
Currently, the total number of permits granted is 5,972 for rental cabs and 21,295 for rental bikes.
“Any vehicle found operating without the proper rent-a-bike or rent-a-cab registration will be challaned and seized. Vehicle owners caught for this violation will face hefty penalties, including a fine of Rs 10,000,” a transport official said.
This move comes a day after transport minister Mauvin Godinho announced plans to seize private vehicles operating as rent-a-cabs from next month.
“With state halting the issuance of new rent-a-cab licences, private vehicle owners have turned to illicit rentals to cater to tourists. We will not allow this. Tourists come to Goa, hire rental cars, and try to teach Goans how a vehicle is driven,” Godinho had said.
As the tourism season approaches, officials are hopeful that these measures will restore order and enhance safety on Goa's roads.
“The directorate of transport is in the process of securing a designated area to store these seized vehicles,” the official said.
Rent-a-cab permits are issued under the Rent-a-Cab Scheme of 1989, while Rent-a-Bike permits are issued according to the Rent-a-Motorcycle Scheme of 1997, both are governed by the Central Motor Vehicles Rules of 1989. There is no limit on the number of Rent-a-Cab permits issued, while each Rent-a-Bike licence holder is allowed a maximum of 10 permits.
Currently, the total number of permits granted is 5,972 for rental cabs and 21,295 for rental bikes.
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